patrick.net

errc says

Crony Capitalism ftw

One of your less coherent posts. And that’s bad company lately.

Quigley says

errc says

Crony Capitalism ftw

One of your less coherent posts. And that’s bad company lately.

I was doing my best mell impression, guess it fell flat.

As an American, I don’t support the Fed Gov picking winners and losers, and giving some citizens privileges that they force the unprivileged to pay for. It’s obvious that for you, all that matters is wether or not it personally saves or costs you any money

errc says

I don’t support the Fed Gov picking winners and losers

Who are the winners being picked?

HappyGilmore says

Winners: Owners of private jets. People with estates > $11MM, people with large holdings in stocks

Losers: Everyone else.

That doesn't seem accurate. You don't think a 24k standard deduction helps a middle class family?

HappyGilmore says

People with estates > $11MM, people with large holdings in stocks

How many people fit that profile versus how many people fit squarely in the middle class and will benefit form the $24K standard deduction?

HappyGilmore says

Of course. But removal of the exemptions hurts them. Removal of student loan interest hurts them.

I'm talking in totality(and in general)--winners are the super rich. Losers are everyone else.

Those are good moves IMO. The Department of Education just released data that showed that the student loan default rate from October 2013 to October 2017 has increased to 11.5 percent (roughly 600,000 defaulters). This is unacceptable. Those losses are tax payer subsidized. No one is forcing those people to take loans and taking incentives AWAY from bad borrowers is a good thing IMO.

Still, I've done the math and the 24k deduction is huge for people who aren't over borrowing. not to mention the lower tax brackets per income level overall. Also this is the largest drop to small business and corporations in 20 years (more business expansion and jobs coming).

The only people this tax cut seems to hurt are "over borrowers", people who borrowed far too much to buy a home, or borrowed far too much taxpayer money to give to some liberal arts schools.

Net positive, these tax cuts are far better for the economy.

Goran_K says

HappyGilmore says

Of course. But removal of the exemptions hurts them. Removal of student loan interest hurts them.

I'm talking in totality(and in general)--winners are the super rich. Losers are everyone else.

Those are good moves IMO. The Department of Education just released data that showed that the student loan default rate from October 2013 to October 2017 has increased to 11.5 percent (roughly 600,000 defaulters). This is unacceptable. Those losses are tax payer subsidized. No one is forcing those people to take loans and taking incentives AWAY from bad borrowers is a good thing IMO.

Still, I've done the math and the 24k deduction is huge for people who aren't over borrowing. not to mention the lower tax brackets per income level overall. Also this is the largest drop to small business and corporations in 20 years (more business expansion and jobs c...

As an American Capitalist, i see a very simple solution: bring back Capitalism so that student loan debt is discharged in chapter 7 bankruptcy. The market will sort it out

HappyGilmore says

Access to education should not be only available to the wealthy. That's bad policy for the US--an educated population is vastly superior to an uneducated population.

Have you seen millenials? They are already vastly uneducated despite a liberal arts degree and have high unemployment as it is.

Giving "free money" to students is not the way to give "access to education", that's just enabling bad decisions and causing inflationary pressure on the cost of education.

Nope--I've done the calculations too. Huge net negative. Much better off simply sending all taxpayers $10K.

I doubt that. You can't even come up with a situation where it actually hurts someone who isn't up to their necks in debt.

errc says

As an American Capitalist, i see a very simple solution: bring back Capitalism so that student loan debt is discharged in chapter 7 bankruptcy. The market will sort it out

As an american capitalist, then you should also be in favor of loaning money based on projected ability to pay back? Right Mr. Capitalist?

Goran_K says

errc says

As an American Capitalist, i see a very simple solution: bring back Capitalism so that student loan debt is discharged in chapter 7 bankruptcy. The market will sort it out

As an american capitalist, then you should also be in favor of loaning money based on projected ability to pay back? Right Mr. Capitalist?

Of course

HappyGilmore says

Access to education should not be only available to the wealthy. That's bad policy for the US--an educated population is vastly superior to an uneducated population.

Just like our expensive healthcare system, when the government subsidizes something, it becomes much more expensive as it just increases the demand.

Instead of shoveling more of our tax dollars into education loans, we should be working with universities to come up with ways of reducing the cost of tuition. There is absolutely no reason why a 4 year degree should cost hundreds of thousands of dollars saddling our kids with a big fat mortgage right out of college.

Reducing education costs will require eliminating many ridiculous administrative positions to manage SJW nonsense and getting back to educating.

socal2 says

Instead of shoveling more of our tax dollars into education loans, we should be working with universities to come up with ways of reducing the cost of tuition. There is absolutely no reason why a 4 year degree should cost hundreds of thousands of dollars saddling our kids with a big fat mortgage right out of college.

Yep--I agree with that. Education is similar to healthcare, however, in that it has a very inelastic demand curve. People need education.

Goran_K says

Still, I've done the math and the 24k deduction is huge for people who aren't over borrowing. not to mention the lower tax brackets per income level overall. Also this is the largest drop to small business and corporations in 20 years (more business expansion and jobs coming).

So show us the math. How did you do the math when the bill isn't out of committee yet and there are two versions with some big differences?

Yo be fair, every traditional family of 4 already has a bigger than $24k standard deduction now. You get $12700 standard fling married and your 2 kids and 2 parents get a $4050 personal deduction each which comes to $28900 deduction currently. The only thing that saves them from getting screwed is the large increase in child credit and extending it to $500k income families is smart too.

I’m just so glad I didn’t roll my wife’s student loans into our home equity loan this past year like I was going to so we could write off the interest. That would have sucked since equity loan interest write offs are going away for sure.

Goran_K says

HappyGilmore says

Winners: Owners of private jets. People with estates > $11MM, people with large holdings in stocks

Losers: Everyone else.

That doesn't seem accurate. You don't think a 24k standard deduction helps a middle class family?

HappyGilmore says

If I had an uncivil button, I would have used it on this comment. I'd expect better from a moderator.

You misused the uncivil button before so that's probably why you lost it.

I'm simply asking you to come up with a situation where the tax reform hurts someone. Give me a scenario.

anon_faba8 says

So show us the math. How did you do the math when the bill isn't out of committee yet and there are two versions with some big differences?

Based on the proposed changes, the majority of those who are not in abnormally high debt, will experience a pretty good windfall.

Can you come up with a situation where the tax reform hurts someone who isn't in debt up to their necks with student loans and a jumbo mortgage? Give me a scenario.

HappyGilmore says

Yep--I agree with that. Education is similar to healthcare, however, in that it has a very inelastic demand curve. People need education.

Sure - but people shouldn't take out massive student loans to attend ridiculously expensive private or Ivy league schools just to get a humanities degree.

We need to increase competition in education and allow for the accreditation of more online education and commuter school options instead of shoveling more tax dollars at future students.

Goran_K says

Still, I've done the math and the 24k deduction is huge for people who aren't over borrowing.

I will be huge for the Millennial population, who is becoming the biggest age group, since very few own houses and rent and are staying away from having kids, but getting pets. That $24K will be like hitting the lottery for them. Just think how much avocado toast they can buy with that windfall.

Sniper says

HappyGilmore says

Access to education should not be only available to the wealthy.

It's not, if you have a pulse and are breathing, you can sign on the dotted line and get money for college, regardless if you can pay it back.

I’ve posted frequently...in California, the state colleges...some of which are very good schools...are about $6-7k annually inclusive of books, parking, and student fees. Junior colleges are around $1100-1500 annually inclusive. So at 4 years you are looking at $20k...less than the price of an average new car and certainly an affordable loan to ANYONE who has a job.

College being affordable to only the rich is a lie and I’m not sure why “happy gillmore” continues to dish out blatantly false statements.

Fucking White Male says

Sniper says

HappyGilmore says

Access to education should not be only available to the wealthy.

It's not, if you have a pulse and are breathing, you can sign on the dotted line and get money for college, regardless if you can pay it back.

I’ve posted frequently...in California, the state colleges...some of which are very good schools...are about $6-7k annually inclusive of books, parking, and student fees. Junior colleges are around $1100-1500 annually inclusive. So at 4 years you are looking at $20k...less than the price of an average new car and certainly an affordable loan to ANYONE who has a job.

College being affordable to only the rich is a lie and I’m not sure why “happy gillmore” continues to dish out blatantly false statements.

You forgot to include apartment, food, vacations, party money, and so on which at least triples the cost. How can one just be expect to go to school and study?

Fucking White Male says

College being affordable to only the rich is a lie and I’m not sure why “happy gillmore” continues to dish out blatantly false statements.

Not everyone lives in CA. I don't know if $7K annually is correct or not, but that is still cost prohibitive to someone working minimum wage.

And you can't even smell college for $7K/year in the vast majority of places.

HappyGilmore says

Fucking White Male says

College being affordable to only the rich is a lie and I’m not sure why “happy gillmore” continues to dish out blatantly false statements.

Not everyone lives in CA. I don't know if $7K annually is correct or not, but that is still cost prohibitive to someone working minimum wage.

And you can't even smell college for $7K/year in the vast majority of places.

Again not true. Just about Every state has a state college system as well as a university system.

Min wage is irrelevant. Were talking loans here which everyone will qualify for. And if you are min wage after graduating...sucks to be you.

Here’s the costs to satisfy you:
https://www.collegetuitioncompare.com/compare/tables/?state=CA
2 years jc x 1500 = 3k
2 years Cal State x 8k = 16k

Total = 19k

Now will you stop posting blatantly false information?

HappyGilmore says

You obviously aren't following the thread. Goran proposed eliminating college loans.

Uh no I didn't. Why are you lying?

I said I am in agreement eliminating any taxpayer subsidized incentives to borrow tons of money for college that will never get paid back, in fact here's my post verbatim.

Goran_K says

Those are good moves IMO. The Department of Education just released data that showed that the student loan default rate from October 2013 to October 2017 has increased to 11.5 percent (roughly 600,000 defaulters). This is unacceptable. Those losses are tax payer subsidized. No one is forcing those people to take loans and taking incentives AWAY from bad borrowers is a good thing IMO.

These loans put extreme inflationary pressure on college costs, there's a reason why those costs have skyrocketed under FAFSA.

Happy Gilmore, keep it on topic.

You were lying when you said "Goran proposed eliminating college loans." This isn't an opinion, it's a fact, you lied.

This whole "I would make your comments uncivil" or arguing about what is uncivil, is borderline trolling.If you want to understand what is uncivil, or not, ask yourself "Am I trolling or attempting to make this about a person rather than a point?" If you answer yes to that, then you're being "uncivil".

Fucking White Male says

Again not true. Just about Every state has a state college system as well as a university system.

Yes, it is true. They have systems, but they sure as hell don't cost $7K/year.

Fucking White Male says

Min wage is irrelevant. Were talking loans here which everyone will qualify for. And if you are min wage after graduating...sucks to be you.

No we're not--that's the point. We're talking about if those loans weren't available to everyone.

HappyGilmore says

Fucking White Male says

Again not true. Just about Every state has a state college system as well as a university system.

Yes, it is true. They have systems, but they sure as hell don't cost $7K/year.

Post link then. A few to make sure you’re not pointing out the rare exception.

HappyGilmore says

Yes, allowing folks who couldn't afford higher education without loans does increase demand, but limiting access to education is a horrible way to control costs.

Increasing college costs through inflationary pressure puts college out of the range of more people than simply allowing the market to adjust the price. Free loans do the exact opposite of what you're proposing.

Fucking White Male says

Post link then. A few to make sure you’re not pointing out the rare exception.

Sure--here's the data on public school education costs:

https://trends.collegeboard.org/college-pricing/figures-tables/2017-18-state-tuition-and-fees-public-four-year-institutions-state-and-five-year-percentage

HappyGilmore says

And by inflationary pressure you mean--allowing people who couldn't otherwise afford higher education to obtain it.

Let's be clear in what you are saying.

If people can't afford a certain college, they go to a cheaper college, if they can't afford a cheap college, then they go to community college and then transfer over after saving money. If that fails, then they can go to a trade school, and make money as a tradesmen. There are plenty of market alternatives.

Or if they do indeed take a loan, they think about it real hard, the consequences of taking the loan, and consider in their minds if they might be able to pay it back.

This is all far better than government subsidized loan money with a default rate of 11.5%.

HappyGilmore says

Again, so we're clear. You advocate that ones' career opportunities are substantially based on the birth lottery. That is not unusual for Republicans.

I advocate for a merit based system where the best and brightest have the opportunity to get ahead even if they are born into a poor family.

Sure, some people are born to non-wealthy parents. Like Oprah, Michael Jordan, or Steve Jobs? The "best and brightest" have found ways. Schools often offer full rides to those with special talent.

America is a ladder of opportunity, and economic mobility is high as long as you work hard and make the right decisions.

Free loan money to anyone who can sign a FAFSA form is the exact opposite of a meritocracy.

HappyGilmore says

I advocate for a merit based system where the best and brightest have the opportunity to get ahead even if they are born into a poor family.

Sounds great. But the government doesn't have a great track record of making up for absent fathers and broken homes which is the biggest driver of poverty, crime and ignorance in our country.

The best thing the government could do is to try and reverse the skyrocketing rate of women having children out of wedlock. Abortion, contraception and sex education is more available now than in any time in the history of the human species. Yet more kids than ever are being born to single mothers and poverty. Could it be that our government has incentivized this behavior with well meaning welfare (including student loan) policies?

The cynic in me thinks the Democrats want more poor immigrants and poor kids from broken families for votes and power.

socal2 says

The cynic in me thinks the Democrats want more poor immigrants and poor kids from broken families for votes and power.

You're not being cynical. Those are just the facts. Lyndon B. Johnson said this himself when he proposed the Great Society initiative when he was supposedly heard saying "I'll Have Those N*****s Voting Democratic for 200 Years" by one of his top aides.

When Government takes the place of the nuclear family, what you get is welfare dependency and a reliable voting bloc.

Just take a look at the Democrat core voting block. Poor blacks and Hispanics are a key part of it.

Sniper says

There you go, median cost in the US is like $9,900 a year. Where's all these big costs.

That's tuition only. Double that for room and board.

socal2 says

The best thing the government could do is to try and reverse the skyrocketing rate of women having children out of wedlock

I agree. There is a VERY strong correlation between being poor and having out of wedlock children. Let's enact policies that reduce wealth inequality to reduce out of wedlock children.

socal2 says

The cynic in me thinks the Democrats want more poor immigrants and poor kids from broken families for votes and power.

You're not alone, but in reality Dems want fewer poor people. It's Reps who enact policy after policy that creates more poor. Reps want to drive down wages by killing unions. Reps want to enact regressive tax plans.

HappyGilmore says

The exception doesn't prove the rule.

Exceptions?

The Brookings Institute, which is a left leaning research institute btw went over decades of demographic data and found you only have to do 3 things to not end up perpetually poor in the United States.

1. Graduate high school.
2. Get a job.
3. Get married before children.

Those 3 commonalities universally always lead to people not only NOT being poor, but being solidly middle class in America.

HappyGilmore says

You're not alone, but in reality Dems want fewer poor people.

If this was the case they would be strongly against mass immigration of poor people from 3rd world countries. But all we see from donkeys is constant clamouring for sanctuary and amnesty for illegals.

KimJongUn says

If this was the case they would be strongly against mass immigration of poor people from 3rd world countries. But all we see from donkeys is constant clamouring for sanctuary and amnesty for illegals.

Exactly. Sanctuary Cities actually promote keeping illegals poor, and destitute. They have zero economic mobility, depend on the sanctuary government for basic needs, and if the DNC has it's way, they'll be given the right to vote. DNC playbook 101.

KimJongUn says

If this was the case they would be strongly against mass immigration of poor people from 3rd world countries. But all we see from donkeys is constant clamouring for sanctuary and amnesty for illegals.

It's telling that you have to misrepresent in order to make an argument. If you had a stronger position, you wouldn't have to.

Dems don't want mass immigration of poor people. Dems want illegals that are here and their children to be treated with respect.

anon_3b28c says

Dems don't want mass immigration of poor people. Dems want illegals that are here and their children to be treated with respect.

If you don't deport illegal, and set up 'sanctuary' cities where they won't fear to be deported, then first you are obviously in favor of illegal immigration and you are also sending a huge signal for poor people to come there. So you are de facto in favor of mass immigration.
If you think deporting people is a lack of respect, then you are de facto in favor of mass immigration.